Hassan Ayariga challenges BoG over cedi bouquet arrests

Founder and Leader of the All People’s Congress (APC), Dr Hassan Ayariga, has challenged the Bank of Ghana (BoG) to state the exact law that makes arranging Ghana cedi notes into gift bouquets and cakes an offence. His intervention follows the arrest of seven people in Accra for allegedly using cedi notes to make money bouquets and cakes for commercial purposes. The BoG says the practice amounts to the misuse of the national currency and has warned that offenders could face prosecution, fines or imprisonment. However, Dr Ayariga is questioning where the line should be drawn between damaging the national currency and simply presenting money as a gift. Seven arrested in Accra over use of cedi notes for money cakes, bouquets He argued that Ghanaians have the right to use their legitimately earned money as gifts at weddings, birthdays, graduations and other celebrations, provided the notes are not damaged. According to him, the central bank must clearly identify the law being broken when cedi notes used for gift arrangements are not torn, defaced, destroyed or permanently altered. “If currency notes are not torn, defaced, destroyed, or permanently altered, the Bank of Ghana must explain precisely which provision of the law has been violated,” he said. Dr Ayariga also cautioned the central bank against enforcing currency regulations without clearly explaining the legal basis for its actions. “The Bank of Ghana is a regulatory institution, not a law unto itself. Any arrest must have a clear legal foundation, follow due process and respect the constitutional rights of citizens,” he stated. He stressed that protecting the cedi should not come at the expense of the rights of citizens and businesses that earn a living from preparing gift packages. GoldBod set to sell dollars to banks twice a week “We must protect our national currency, but we must equally protect the rights, freedoms and legitimate businesses of Ghanaians,” he said. The BoG, however, has taken a firm position on the practice. In a public notice issued in July 2026, the central bank specifically listed money bouquets, decorative creations and the spraying of money among practices it considers improper use of the currency. It linked these practices to offences under the Currency Act, 1964 (Act 242), including tampering, alteration, defacement and improper use of currency. Dr Ayariga is therefore demanding greater clarity on how the law applies where the notes remain intact and usable after being presented as gifts. He called on the BoG to clearly explain what separates the lawful gifting of money from the illegal treatment of currency, arguing that enforcement must be reasonable, lawful and respectful of citizens’ rights. DR/MA Inside Ghana’s Abandoned Engineering Powerhouse: What Went Wrong? Source: www.ghanaweb.com
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